VOL. XLV

No 39

30-September-2002

OPEC

US Threats Float Crude Prices BeyondInfluence Of Fundamentals

Washingtonsdetermination to bring about regime change in Iraqhas pushed crude oil prices to a new level of $29-31/B for the main benchmarks,front month WTI and Brent. Last week also saw the OPEC Basket crude price exceedthe upper limit of the organizations $22-28/B target range for the first timesince early December 2000. Increased expectation of US and UKmilitary action against Iraqhas effectively...